Why Heritage Studies and Public History at the University of Minnesota?

Interdisciplinary collaboration

As an HSPH student you will contribute to the project of democratizing heritage by collaborating with communities to bring multiple perspectives of the past into conversation. An interdisciplinary  program, HSPH blends elements of archival research, archaeology, material culture studies, architecture, preservation and digital humanities. In HSPH, history and heritage fuel the activism and learning necessary for a more just and equitable future.

Partnership in practice

The Heritage Studies and Public History program is made possible by a partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). This partnership enables all HSPH master’s students to complete two paid in-semester internships and a paid summer fellowship. Working together, HSPH and MNHS combine theory and practice to foreground diversity, interdisciplinary inquiry, experiential learning, and community engagement. Minnesota Historical Society staff and leadership contribute to the program by teaching courses, mentoring students, and sharing knowledge about professional practice. The program combines rigorous scholarly training with hands-on professional development, preparing graduates for careers as curators, public historians, historic preservationists, archaeologists, preservation planners, and community organizers.

Learn more about how the program was created.